Asus: Preorders open for $3,499 consumer Ultra HD monitor; You buying?

Asus on Monday said it is taking preorders for the first consumer 31.5-inch 4K Ultra HD monitor through channel partners. If you want to be the first on your block with a 4K monitor all you need is $3,499.

The company said its monitor, the PQ321Q, is "highly anticipated" and features a 3840 x 2160 resolution. That resolution is the equivalent of four full HD screens combined.

So-called 4K UHD TVs were the rage at CES earlier this year, but it's unclear what tech buyer would fork out the money for a monitor. Sure, the monitors are stunning, but the return on investment is a bit fuzzy unless you love counting pixels.

Asus said the PQ321Q True 4K UHD monitor uses Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) instead of the silicon found in its LCD panels. The PQ321Q can also be used vertically and horizontally and is the thinnest available. Asus is also developing a 39-inch version.

The specs are impressive, but it's unclear if they are $3,499 impressive.